High and low pressure hydro turbine

ABSTRACT

A hydro-turbine embodying characteristics of both impulse and reaction systems consisting of an upper housing or impulse section of the turbine and having a vertical spindle mounting, a first set of radially extending pitched vanes in the path of a high pressure tangentially impinging stream of water and arranged to direct the stream into the lower housing or reactive section of the turbine axially downward onto a second set of radially extending vanes of opposite pitch mounted therebeneath on the spindle, the assembly being contained within a downwardly tapering frusto-conical housing.

United States Patent 1191 Siptrott 1 1 Apr. 15, 1975 HIGH AND LOWPRESSURE HYDRO TURBINE [76] Inventor: Fred M. Siptrott, 3011 l-lardiesLn.,

Santa Rosa, Calif. 95401 [22] Filed: July 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:379,102

[52] V U.S. Cl. 415/143; 415/202; 416/175; 416/201; 416/203; 415/219 R;415/198 [51] Int. Cl. F0ld 13/00; FOld 1/16 [58] Field of Search415/143, 199, 184, 203, 415/205, 120, 202, 219, 68, 69; 416/175, 198,201, 203

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 591,822 10/1897 Curtis415/202 1,130,090 3/1915 Kutschinski... 415/202 2,151,699 3/1939 Heiner415/219 3,110,437 11/1963 Oechslin 415/219 3,112,866 12/1963 Fortescoe415/199 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 531,262 7/1931 Germany 415/219Primary ExaminerC. J. Husar Assistant Examiner-Louis J. CasaregolaAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Schapp and Hatch [57] ABSTRACT A hydro-turbineembodying characteristics of both impulse and reaction systemsconsisting of an upper housing or impulse section of the turbine andhaving a vertical spindle mounting, a first set of radially extendingpitched vanes in the path of a high pressure tangentially impingingstream of water and arranged to direct the stream into the lower housingor reactive section of the turbine axially downward onto a second set ofradially extending vanes of opposite pitch mounted therebeneath on thespindle, the assembly being contained within a downwardly taperingfrustoconical housing.

11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEB I 5875 3. 877. 835

sum 1 o 3 FIG- -1- PATEl-HEBAFR I 5 i975 snmag PIE- .2.

HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE HYDRO TURBINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to a HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE HYDRO TURBINE, andmore particularly to a turbine incorporating both impulse and reactionphases.

Hydro turbines are classified generally as impulse or reaction types,although theoretically both types of turbines involve at least some ofboth reaction and impulse characteristics. In conventional hydroturbines, a set of vanes is mounted in the path of a high pressurestream of water. The imparting of energy from the stream of water to thevanes of the turbine in this high energy area reduces the pressure ofthe water passing from the vanes. The energy from the low pressure. lowenergy output stream of water therefore ordinarily is lost.

Prior art devices which have attempted to make use of the low pressureoutput stream have not satisfactorily provided synchronized rotation ofthe runners in both the high and low pressure areas. Synchronizedrotation is the coordination between impulse pressure and exertedreaction. Unsynchronized operation causes cavitation and other losses inefficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general purpose of the present invention isto provide a combined high and low pressure hydro turbine whichovercomes the aforedescribed disadvantages and produces increasedefficiency. To attain this, the hydro turbine of the present inventionutilizes a vertical spindle having a first set of radially extendingpitched vanes of foil design positioned in the path of a high pressuretangentially impinging stream of water to impart rotation to thespindle. These first vanes are shaped and positioned to direct thereduced pressure stream downward axially past a second set of vanes ofopposite pitch which are shaped and positioned for imparting furtherrotational impetus to the turbine.

This turbine can be constructed to provide clockwise or counterclockwiserotation as its application may require. The vanes of the first set arepitched or inclined with respect to the spindle axis and shaped withrespect to the high pressure stream to deflect the stream downwardlywhile receiving rotational impulses therefrom. The vanes of the secondset are pitched or inclined in the opposite direction so that thedownwardly flowing stream adds further rotational energy by reaction,reaction referring to that mass of fluid exerting energy on the downsideof the vanes, and then dispersing into reduced atmospheric pressure whenleaving the turbine. In other words, if the axis of the shaft isregarded as a datum axis with positive angles being formed in aclockwise direction and negative angles formed in a counterclockwisedirection, the two sets of vanes may be described as being positioned atangles of opposite sign.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for synchronously and coopera- A further object of the presentinvention is the provision ofa hydro turbine capable of utilizing thelow pressure stream of water resulting after the input high pressurestream has imparted a major portion of its energy to the high pressurevanes.

Yet another object is to provide a hydro turbine embodyingcharacteristics of both impulse and reaction systems in a novelsynchronized manner.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the specification proceeds, and the new and useful featureswill be fully defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred form of the presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-section view of the turbine of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the turbine of FIG. 1, with portions brokenaway and shown in section for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the runner of the turbine of thepresent invention showing the arrangement of the sets of vanes ofopposite pitch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, thereis shown a turbine constructed in accordance with the present inventionhaving a housing 11 and a runner assembled on a spindle 14. The spindle14 has a first set of pitched vanes 12, on which a high pressure streamof water impinges tangentially, and a second set of vanes 13, on whichthe resulting stream of water pressure impinges axially. As shown inFIG. 3, the pitch of the first set of vanes 12 is opposite to the pitchof the second set of vanes 13. The lengths of the individual vanes ofthe second set I3 decrease progressively in the downward direction toprovide a frusto-conical shape for the second set of vanes.

As shown here, the upper portion of the housing 11 surrounding vanes 12is cylindrical and the lower portion of the housing surrounding vanes 13is frustoconical in shape to conform generally to the shape of therunner. The top of the housing is closed off by a wall 15, and thebottom end is open to provide an exit port 20.

Input ports 16 are constructed in the housing as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2to direct a high pressure input stream to impinge on the first set ofvanes 12. In this configuration, the turbine rotates in a clockwisedirection looking downwardly. The spindle I4 is secured by a lock nut 17which holds the pressure plate 18 which in turn is mounted on a bearing19. The spindle 14 is further supported by a tail bearing 21 mounted ona bearing seat 22 which in turn is supported by a stabilizer frame 23mounted on the lower housing. A conical tively utilizing high pressureand low pressure energy hub 24 is provided to minimize eddy currents.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the high pressure input stream of waterenters through portholes 16 into the upper part of the housing 11 of theturbine to impinge on the first set of vanes '12 tangentially to impartrotation thereto. The vanes 12 are pitched to deflect the stream ofwater downwardly to impinge axially on the second set of vanes 13. Thepositioning of the two sets of blades of opposite pitch will exertrotational motion on the spindle 14 in the same direction when struck bythe impinging waters. Hence the two sets of vanes positioned to haveopposite pitch provide for synchronized utilization of unlike energiesto affect rotation of the spindle. Preferably, the vanes are mounted topermit adjustment of their pitch or inclination to provide maximumefficiency.

While modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein the light of the above teachings, I desire to have it understood thatthis invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed. Forexample, by relocation of intake ports the high pressure input streammay be positioned to impinge tangentially on the first set of vanes toimpart a counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 14 rather than theclockwise rotation shown. In this configuration, of course, all vaneswould be repositioned to accommodate the reversed direction of shaftrotation. In this configuration the two sets of vanes would still haveopposite pitch.

ln addition, although the fluid medium in the preferred embodiment iswater. any suitable fluid medium may be used. It is therefore to beunderstood that this invention is new and all changes that come withinthe scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of thisinvention.

I claim:

1. A hydro-turbine having a rotatable shaft comprisinput means formedfor directing a stream of liquid at high pressure tangentially into theturbine,

a first set of radiallyextending vanes mounted on the shaft in positionto intercept the stream of liquid from said input means for impartingimpulse rotational energy to the shaft, said vanes being formed fordeflecting the stream of fluid to effect a change in direction thereoffrom tangential to axial, and

a second set of radially extending vanes of opposite pitch angle to saidfirst set of vanes mounted on the shaft in position to intercept thedeflected stream of fluid and formed for imparting reaction rotationalenergy to the shaft in the same direction of rotation as set impulserotational energy imparted to said shaft by said first set of vanes.

2. A hydro-turbine as described in claim 1 and wherein said first andsecond sets of vanes are formed and mounted so that said first set ofvanes have a pitch angle of opposite sign than the pitch angle ofinclination of said second set of vanes and the pitch angles of thevanes are independently adjustable.

3. A hydro-turbine, comprising a housing,

a runner mounted for rotation in said housing,

an inlet port in said housing formed for directing a stream of highpressure liquid tangentially against said runner,

a first set of vanes mounted on said runner and surrounded by the upperportions of said housing in the path of said stream,

a second set of vanes mounted on said runner and surrounded by the lowerportion of said housing downstream of said first set, said first andsecond sets of vanes having pitch angles of opposite sign, and

an exit port formed in said housing for discharging the liquidtherefrom,

each of said first set of vanes being formed for receiving impulseenergy from said stream of high pressure liquid and for deflecting suchliquid to pass through said housing to said exit port axially of said 1runner in a lower pressure stream,

each of said second set of vanes being formed for re,-

ceiving reaction energy from said lower pressure stream of liquid.

4. A hydro-turbine as described in claim 3 and wherein a first portionof said housing at saidinlet port is cylindrical in shape, and saidrunner and first set of vanes is shaped to conform generally thereto sothat the radially outer tips of said first set of vanes are closelyproximate to said first portion of said housing.

5. A hydro-turbine as described in claim 4 and wherein the secondportion of said housing is frustoconical in shape narrowing to said exitport, and said runner and second set of vanes is shaped to conform 7. Ahydro-turbine as described in claim 3 and wherein said vanes arepositioned in a plurality of rows along the length of said runner.

8. A hydro-turbine as described in claim 3 and wherein the pitch angleof said vanes is individually ad.- justable.

9. A hydraulic turbine, comprising a turbine runner mounted for rotationaround a vertical axis,

a liquid tight turbine casing enclosing said runner and having acylindrical upper portion and a contiguous conical portion taperinginwardly and downwardly to an exit port,

a plurality of blades secured to said runner along its length andextending radially therefrom into close proximity to the inner peripheryof said casing, and

a pair of inlet ports formed in said casing on diametrically opposedsides of said cylindrical upper portion for projecting high pressurejets of liquid tangentially into said casing to impinge upon the saidblades enclosed in said cylindrical upper portion.

said last named blades being of foil cross-section and inclined overtheir width with respect to said jets of liquid for deflecting theliquid from said jets downwardly through said casing in a reducedpressure stream to egress from said exit port,

said blades surrounded by said conical portion of said housing being offoil cross-section and inclined, f

over their width in a direction opposite to the inclination of saidblades enclosed in said cylindrical upper portion.

10. A hydraulic turbine as described in claim 9 and wherein said bladesare formed for individual adjustment of their pitch angle.

11. A hydraulic turbine as described in claim 9 and wherein said bladesare mounted on said runner in a series of vertically spaced horizontalplanes therealong, a plurality of said rows of blades being enclosed insaid cylindrical upper portion and a plurality of said rows of bladesbeing enclosed in said conical portion of said

1. A hydro-turbine having a rotatable shaft comprising, input meansformed for directing a stream of liquid at high pressure tangentiallyinto the turbine, a first set of radially extending vanes mounted on theshaft in position to intercept the stream of liquid from said inputmeans for imparting impulse rotational energy to the shaft, said vanesbeing formed for deflecting the stream of fluid to effect a change indirection thereof from tangential to axial, and a second set of radiallyextending vanes of opposite pitch angle to said first set of vanesmounted on the shaft in position to intercept the deflected stream offluid and formed for imparting reaction rotational energy to the shaftin the same direction of rotation as set impulse rotational energyimparted to said shaft by said first set of vanes.
 2. A hydro-turbine asdescribed in claim 1 and wherein said first and second sets of vanes areformed and mounted so that said first set of vanes have a pitch angle ofopposite sign than the pitch angle of inclination of said second set ofvanes and the pitch angles of the vanes are independently adjustable. 3.A hydro-turbine, comprising a housing, a runner mounted for rotation insaid housing, an inlet port in said housing formed for directing astream of high pressure liquid tangentially against said runner, a firstset of vanes mounted on said runner and surrounded by the upper portionsof said housing in the path of said stream, a second set of vanesmounted on said runner and surrounded by the lower portion of saidhousing downstream of said first set, said first and second sets ofvanes having pitch angles of opposite sign, and an exit port formed insaid housing for discharging the liquid therefrom, each of said firstset of vanes being formed for receiving impulse energy from said streamof high pressure liquid and for deflecting such liquid to pass throughsaid housing to said exit port axially of said runner in a lowerpressure stream, each of said second set of vanes being formed forreceiving reaction energy from said lower pressure stream of liquid. 4.A hydro-turbine as described in claim 3 and wherein a first portion ofsaid housing at said inlet port is cylindrical in shape, and said runnerand first set of vanes is shaped to conform generally thereto so thatthe radially outer tips of said first set of vanes are closely proximateto said first portion of said housing.
 5. A hydro-turbine as describedin claim 4 and wherein the second portion of said housing isfrusto-conical in shape narrowing to said exit port, and said runner andsecond set of vanes is shaped to conform generally thereto so that theradially outer tips of said second set of vanes are closely proximate tosaid second portion of said housing.
 6. A hydro-turbine as described inclaim 5 and wherein said runner is mounted with its axis of rotationextending vertically.
 7. A hydro-turbine as described in claim 3 andwherein said vanes are positioned in a plurality of rows along thelength of said runner.
 8. A hydro-turbine as described in claim 3 andwherein the piTch angle of said vanes is individually adjustable.
 9. Ahydraulic turbine, comprising a turbine runner mounted for rotationaround a vertical axis, a liquid tight turbine casing enclosing saidrunner and having a cylindrical upper portion and a contiguous conicalportion tapering inwardly and downwardly to an exit port, a plurality ofblades secured to said runner along its length and extending radiallytherefrom into close proximity to the inner periphery of said casing,and a pair of inlet ports formed in said casing on diametrically opposedsides of said cylindrical upper portion for projecting high pressurejets of liquid tangentially into said casing to impinge upon the saidblades enclosed in said cylindrical upper portion, said last namedblades being of foil cross-section and inclined over their width withrespect to said jets of liquid for deflecting the liquid from said jetsdownwardly through said casing in a reduced pressure stream to egressfrom said exit port, said blades surrounded by said conical portion ofsaid housing being of foil cross-section and inclined over their widthin a direction opposite to the inclination of said blades enclosed insaid cylindrical upper portion.
 10. A hydraulic turbine as described inclaim 9 and wherein said blades are formed for individual adjustment oftheir pitch angle.
 11. A hydraulic turbine as described in claim 9 andwherein said blades are mounted on said runner in a series of verticallyspaced horizontal planes therealong, a plurality of said rows of bladesbeing enclosed in said cylindrical upper portion and a plurality of saidrows of blades being enclosed in said conical portion of said housing.